Ampthill romp to victory over Albion

Ampthill delivered a clinical eight-try display on Saturday as they ran out deserved 52-13 winners over Plymouth Albion at Dillingham Park..
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The Amps squad saw Matthew Collins rotate to tighthead prop, while Kevin Barrett (scrum half), William Maisey (centre) and Jonathan Morgan all returned to the starting line-up.

Amps went behind to a second minute penalty but thereafter there was only one team in the game as three converted tries before half-time followed by another five in the second half saw the most complete performance of the season.

Plymouth took the lead on two minutes after A’s were penalised at a ruck, with full-back Matthew Shepherd’s kick sailing between the posts.

The hosts responded by taking the game to the visitors, with the forwards making ground off rucks and the backs threatening line breaks.

Albion’s defence held firm until the 14th minute when full-back Karim Lynch finished a fine move wide on the right; Elliot Clements-Hill converting the first of three successful kicks in the half.

On 25 minutes, fly-half Joseph Tarrant showed great strength to place the ball on the line under the posts.

Just four minutes later, captain Aleki Lutui drove over from close range after multiple red zone phases.

The remainder of the half saw Ampthill disrupting Albion’s lineout and matching their vaunted scrummage; the visitors had their chances but great defence at the set piece and on the scramble kept them out until the interval.

The second half began with a bang, with left wing Jonathan Morgan finishing a fine team try in the 41st minute to secure the try bonus point.

On 47 minutes the visitors strung together some phases, ending with number 8 Herbie Stupple crashing over wide on the right for an unconverted score.

Amps now produced one the best 20 minutes seen at Dillingham Park, scoring four fine team tries through openside Matthew Burke (52), Clements-Hill (62), blindside Darrell Dyer (65) and replacement hooker Viliami Ma’asi (76), with Clements-Hill adding three conversions.

Openside Samuel Matavesi salvaged an unconverted consolation try for Albion with the last play of the game.

Head coach Paul Turner said: “A superb team performance with forwards and backs both outstanding in attack and defence.

“Plymouth Albion are a fine side having won 13 of 14 games coming into this match but we were clinical in our execution.”

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